The Stars This Week: Aug. 25 - 31

Telescopes are a necessary tool for any amateur star-gazer or professional astronomer. (PhotoDisc / Sun Sentinel)

Chart Time 9:30 p.m.

Sunday

Aquarius the Water Bearer glitters in the southeast during the early evening. The constellation’s stars are dim and scattered, requiring a dark moonless night to find them. Within Aquarius are a number of colorful double stars best seen with binoculars or low-powered telescopes.

Advertisement

Monday

Andromeda the Princess is well-placed for viewing in the northeast during the early evening. This group of moderately bright stars makes up a portion of the flying horse Pegasus. Highlighting this group is M-31, the Great Andromeda galaxy. This galaxy can be seen by the naked eye as a misty patch of light. Low-powered telescopes will reveal additional details.

Tuesday

Before dawn the moon shines to the right of the stars Gemini Castor and Pollux. These two bright stars represent a famous pair of twins from Greek mythology. Within this constellation are a number of star clusters well worth exploring with binoculars and low-powered telescopes.

Wednesday

Bright yellow Jupiter rises in the southeast early in the evening. The giant planet is easy to locate as it outshines all of its neighboring stars. Small backyard telescopes will give observers a peek at Jupiter’s four largest moons and multiple colorful bands that cross its atmosphere.

Thursday

Pale gold Saturn is also visible in the southeast during the early evening, rising a little later than Jupiter. The famous rings that circle the planet can be seen using any small telescope, along with its largest moon Titan.

Weekend

The moon reaches new phase Friday. This is a perfect time to search for the Milky Way along with faint constellations and deep-sky objects. Notice how many more stars are visible compared to those seen under the full moon.